History Recap / KidsIncorporatedS7E1AHardDatesNight

* “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)” (Rudy Clark cover; also [[CoveredUp recorded by]] Betty Everett; Music/LindaRonstadt and most recently by Music/{{Cher}} for her 1990 film “''Film/{{Mermaids}}''”; lead vocals by Ana, Robin and Haylie)[[note]]this is the only song where Eric doesn’t sing lead[[/note]]

We now enter Season 7 of ''Kids Incorporated'' and the first episode sees Eric, one of three newcomers to the band, juggling his heartthrob role after making dates with three girls (played by Paula Cowan, Kimberly Volmer[[note]]for whom this episode appears to be their only Website/{{IMDb}} credit[[/note]] and Micki Duran[[note]]the first of two appearances by a future cast member of the Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} series ''Series/{{Roundhouse}}'' this season - which also shared directors in Gary Halvorson and Paul Hoen. Duran had indirect connections to the series; as for a time she had been a member of what eventually became Wild Orchid (at the time known as New Rhythm Generation); a GirlGroup featuring former cast members [[Music/{{Fergie}} Stacy Ferguson]] and Renee Sandstorm alongside mutual friend Stefanie Ridel[[/note]]

Season 7 launched with major changes; including Creator/EricBalfour; Creator/HaylieJohnson[[note]]whose younger sister [[Creator/AshleyJohnson Ashley]] was co-starring as an [[SoapOperaRapidAgingSyndrome aged-up]] Chrissy Seaver during the final two seasons of Creator/{{ABC}}’s ''Series/GrowingPains''[[/note]] and Anastasia Horne along with an entirely new crew of dancers (Charon Aldredge; Brian Friedman; Jennifer King; Danielle Marcus-Janssen and Tony Perrin). Behind the scenes, Craig Sharmat takes over as music director, a position he would hold for the remainder of the series’ run. With RHI Entertainment replacing Qintex as a co-producer; Robert Halmi Jr. - who co-founded that company with his father - would be added as an executive producer; while production designer Jimmy Cuomo would be promoted to producer while retaining his design role. The third of the co-producers, Lynch-Biller Productions, would be renamed simply Lynch Entertainment after Gary P. Biller sold his interest to Thomas W. Lynch, though Biller would remain credited as an executive producer.

We kick off with a performance of “Romeo” - as we see three girls paying very close attention to the stage and Eric in particular. When the song ends, Haylie is working on the P*lace’s new computer and when Eric asks if it’s a homework problem, Robin responds that they’re counting the number of hearts Eric stole…as it seems Eric’s become quite popular with the young ladies, something he’s initially oblivious to (Ana jokes that it’s a type of animal magnetism). Eric begins warming up to the concept when Flip walks in with fan mail…all for Eric (among them, letters from a Dorain, a Christine and a Victoria); causing Eric’s head to [[SmallNameBigEgo swell up with the attention]] as we move to “The Shoop Shoop Song”[[note]]notably; we hear each of the girls scream frequently, specifically whenever Eric appears on screen. Also at once, we see Kenny have to pull Eric back from lingering where the girls were located during his guitar solo[[/note]]. Apparently, Eric was also getting a lot of autograph requests…enough that when the others return to the break room, Eric complains that he’s gotten writer’s cramp (Kenny jokes that he could use a rubber stamp, which Eric briefly considers before deciding against it on reasons of it not being personal…except as Robin notes Eric’s written “You’re the only one for me” on all the correspondence - 55 autographed pictures just that day. Later, Eric mentions his plans include walking home a Mary from school, and a date with a Michelle (Robin’s remark that she liked him better before he became a ladies’ man is dismissed by Eric as [[YoureJustJealous jealousy]]); setting up “It’s the Right Time”[[note]]when the song starts, [[NotSoAboveItAll Kenny]] - who had been trying to bring Eric back to Earth - can be seen [[MaleGaze staring at one of the other girls]][[/note]].

We kick off with a performance of “Romeo” - as we see three girls paying very close attention to the stage and Eric in particular. When the song ends, Haylie is working on the P*lace’s new computer and when Eric asks if it’s a homework problem, Robin responds that they’re counting the number of hearts Eric stole…as it seems Eric’s become quite popular with the young ladies, something he’s initially oblivious to (Ana jokes that it’s a type of animal magnetism). Eric begins warming up to the concept when Flip walks in with fan mail…all for Eric (among them, letters from a Dorain, a Christine and a Victoria); causing Eric’s head to [[SmallNameBigEgo swell up with the attention]] as we move to “The Shop Shop Song”[[note]]notably; we hear each of the girls scream frequently, specifically whenever Eric appears on screen. Also at once, we see Kenny have to pull Eric back from lingering where the girls were located during his guitar solo[[/note]]. Apparently, Eric was also getting a lot of autograph requests…enough that when the others return to the break room, Eric complains that he’s gotten writer’s cramp (Kenny jokes that he could use a rubber stamp, which Eric briefly considers before deciding against it on reasons of it not being personal…except as Robin notes Eric’s written “You’re the only one for me” on all the correspondence - 55 autographed pictures just that day. Later, Eric mentions his plans include walking home a Mary from school, and a date with a Michelle (Robin’s remark that she liked him better before he became a ladies’ man is dismissed by Eric as [[YoureJustJealous jealousy]]); setting up “It’s the Right Time”[[note]]when the song starts, [[NotSoAboveItAll Kenny]] - who had been trying to bring Eric back to Earth - can be seen [[MaleGaze staring at one of the other girls]][[/note]].

** One of the girls being named Dorain is one of two characters named after Kids Inc’s choreographer Dorain Grusman[[note]]the other one is a dance instructor played by former Kids Inc. dancer Wendy Brainerd in Season 8’s penultimate episode; “[[Recap/KidsIncorporatedS8E12OnYourToes On Your Toes]]”[[/note]]

Season 7 launched with major changes; including Creator/EricBalfour; Creator/HaylieJohnson[[note]]whose younger sister [[Creator/AshleyJohnson Ashley]] was co-starring as an [[SoapOperaRapidAgingSyndrome aged-up]] Chrissy Seaver during the final two seasons of Creator/{{ABC}}’s ''Series/GrowingPains''[[/note]] and Anastasia Horne along with an entirely new crew of dancers (Charon Aldredge; Brian Friedman; Jennifer King; Danielle Marcus-Janssen and Tony Perrin). Behind the scenes, Craig Sharmat takes over as music director, a position he would hold for the remainder of the series’ run. With RHI Entertainment replacing Qintex as a co-producer; Robert Halmi Jr. - who co-founded that company with his father - would be added as an executive producer; while production designer Jimmy Cuomo would be promoted to producer while retaining his design role. The third of the co-producers, Lynch-Biller Entertainment, would be renamed simply Lynch Entertainment after Gary S. Biller sold his interest to Thomas W. Lynch, though Biller would remain credited as an executive producer.